Hey Batta Batta Swing!: The Wild Old Days of Baseball

by Sally Cook, James Charlton

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE OF BASEBALL IN THIS FUNNY, FASCINATING JOURNEY FROM THE EARLIEST GAMES TO TODAY.

Discover what it was like before there was a pitching mound or players had numbers on their jerseys. Learn how Babe Ruth got his nickname, why Brooklyn's team was called the Dodgers, and what Roger Clemens gave to keep his lucky number 21 when he switched teams. See what clever ways players have found to win -- even ways to cheat! Sprinkled throughout are definitions of baseball's weird and wacky vocabulary, from a meatball to Uncle Charlie .

Find out which player was traded for a bag of prunes, but don't trade this book for anything! Ross MacDonald's lively pictures bring fans close to the action with plenty of mischievous fun in this free-swinging tribute to the boys of summer.

Genres: Sports, Baseball, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Humor

48 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2007

Reviews

[Mattie Troyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what baseball was like more than one hundred years ago? Well read this book and you will find the answers! This non-fiction book is great for baseball loving kids! Or a new baseball fan who might want to know some background information on the sport. The book is so fun and describes old rules that the game of baseball had many years ago! Do you think they have changed much? Read this book to find out some of the crazy ways baseball has changed over the years! you will not regret it!

[Shaelynn Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Informational
Age Range: Middle Grade
This book tells you everything you need to know about baseball in such a fun way. The start way in the beginning of baseballs time to now how baseball is played. I enjoyed that they added in the words they would say back then and with those words they highlighted them and had the definition at the bottom. Fun book!

[Carlie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade: 1-5
Genre: informational nonfiction
Review: This book is great for someone who is learning more about baseball. It gives so much terminology and it also talks about baseball history. I think that kids would enjoy this book even if they don’t play baseball.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute. Loved the blending of the facts with the glossary of older and lesser-known baseball terms and the illustrations were perfect for the time period.

[Matt Sears · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun kids book about the rules and oddities of old timey baseball.

[Jordan Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entertaining book about the history of baseball and all the fun facts that have occurred throughout that over 100 year span. This book has all sorts of fun facts such as why players now wear numbers on their jerseys, and that jerseys were made of wool in the early days. I couldn't imagine playing in the summer heat while wearing wool. Good thing they made that change. The illustrations keep the reader entertained as well. They have sort of an old school feeling that goes well with the books content. I would have this book in the classroom because I am sure there will be students interested in baseball. This book does a great job in spelling out the facts and history of baseball in a way that young readers would find enjoyable. This book is great as well in the way that confusing terms are explained right there in the text. If you know anything about baseball, then you know there is no shortage of confusing terms.

[Cammym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because my husband is a big baseball fan. This non-fiction book gives an account of the early days of baseball. Some interesting facts include: players used to all wear different colors according to the position they played rather than a team uniform (confusing!); the early uniforms were made of wool, and players used to be able to get runners out by intentionally throwing the ball at them and hitting them with it!

One great feature of this book is the inclusion of all kinds of great old baseball terms, most of which are not longer used. The words are highlighted in the text and then are listed in the side margins right on the same page rather than in a glossary at the back.

Non-fiction, baseball, sports.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly an exceptional book. It was full of odd, fascinating information and trivia about the history of baseball. The text was presented with an overabundance of colorful terminology that allowed the reader to familiarize him or herself with the games more colorful vocabulary while continuing to learn about the transformations that the game has undergone since its inception. I didn't know at least half of the facts I found in this text. The illustrations were quaint and colorful. They gave the text extra life. This is a great edition to anyone's nonfiction collection.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you consider yourself a serious baseball fan? Really? Do you know what a banjo hitter is? How about a frozen rope? This book provides an enjoyable and informative early history of baseball, along with many amusing vocabulary terms that one wishes were still part of the game. A book for young and old fans alike.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this boo because I had this Dad come into the library and go on and on about how much he loved it! Well that was enough to convince me I needed to try this one out. I am glad I did. It has a lot of fun facts and is an fun book for a "not so sport following" girly girl to read and enjoy. Ages 6+

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly interesting look at some of the more colorful aspects of the history of baseball. Loads of trivia and old-timely illustrations. No gloves? Wool uniforms? Uniforms to match the position played rather than the team? Make an out by throwing the ball at the base runner? Yes to all! A fun one for the young sports fan.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, interesting non-fiction. The history of baseball is extremely readable when it's written in a conversational but still fact-filled style. Ross MacDonald's old-timey illustrations make this book all the more fun.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as it has so many facts some funny but all true. How baseball started what they used over the years, how it was played etc. This book would be fun for a baseball fanatic or just someone who likes 'real life' things (such as I) I found it very interesting and fun to read.

[Kyle Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books has fun and amazing baseball facts and trivia that is sure to engage any sports fans in the classroom. Good for independent reading.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to my 9yo baseball fan. The idea is good, but it had a few too many names and dates and spurious details for our tastes.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

terrific history of baseball for kids!

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned some new baseball phrases and some neat history facts about the game.